MLast week I was in total Grinch mode. My “to do” list was
too long, work was stressful, and the kids weren’t sleeping. I was over-stressed
and over-tired and in a general “bah humbug” mood. So, I declared Saturday a “no
chores, no errands day.” I just wanted us to spend time together as a family
doing some fun, holiday activities. The temperatures weren’t too bad on
Saturday, so we decided to take the kids downtown to see the tree in Daley
Plaza and the Macy’s animated windows. To make the trip a little more special
and adventurous we took the Metra instead of driving. Lainey loved it!
On the way to Daley Plaza, we looked at all the trees in the
various building lobbies and Lainey would ask, “is this the big tree?” and we'd
say, “this one is big, but we’ll see one even bigger!” Well, the official city
tree was bigger, but it was pretty sparse and sad looking—tight budget, I
guess. Not that the kids noticed anyway; they were more enamored with the
street performers and the video of a fireplace on the side of Block 37. They
did enjoy the Macy’s windows (and more street performers,) and they really
liked being at Millennium Park watching the ice skaters and checking out the
Bean.
Because we took the Metra, we were on a pretty tight time
table, only two hours from when we arrived to when our return train departed, so
we had to hustle back with no time to stop and eat lunch. Great news for Lainey
and Nick, because it meant they got to have giant cookies on the ride home to
tide them over. (I still managed to get some fruit and veggies down them once
we got home.)The outing exhausted them and they both took three-hour naps—and I
indulged in a long one, too. The no errands, no chores rule applied to the whole
family for the whole day!
Mark did do one chore;
he flipped Nick’s car seat to face forward. I know, I know, the new
recommendation is age two, but he hates it and his legs are really too long to
sit that way anymore. Plus, the new vantage was needed for our evening activity…Christmas
lights! There is a neighborhood mere minutes from our house that really does it
up at Christmas time. (For my local peeps, take a drive through Lincolnwood Towers
with the kiddos for some easy, free holiday fun). After dinner we changed the
kids into their jammies and headed out. Lainey was excited to be going out for
a “night trip” and Nick was in awe of his new seating arrangement—I don’t think
we even needed to see something special, he was just happy to face forward. He
kept saying, “Wow! Cool!” and that was just checking out the plain, old
streetlights on Caldwell. After our tour of Christmas lights, it was back home to
watch “Prep & Landing: Naughty or Nice” before time bedtime.
After the kids went to sleep, Mark and I enjoyed some quiet
time together. Our schedules have been mismatched all month, plus he’s been
traveling for work, so it was nice to have a night home together. We watched Home
Alone (one of my favorites) and wrapped the kids’ gifts, deciding what
Santa would bring and what would come from us. We’re pretty excited that we get
to have Christmas morning in our house this year. I think I may have trouble
sleeping on Christmas Eve from the anticipation!
I have to say, it was a pretty awesome day and put me firmly
in the Christmas spirit. It’s so special to get some of the magic back through
the kids’ excitement and wonderment at it all. It’s going to be a busy two weeks
with guests and travel, but if I can just remember what is important and not
sweat the small stuff (Ha!), it really should be the most wonderful time!
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| Check out those smiles! (And Lainey's most unforgiving hat head) |
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